Liquid-supplying device



Nev. 27, 1945. J. L scHwABE, JR 2,389,820-

LIQUID-SUPPLYIG DEVICE Filed May 2:5, 1942 Patented Nov. 27, 1945 LIQUID-SUPPLYING DEVICE Joseph L. Schwabe, Jr., West Allis, Wis., assigner,

by mesne assignments, to Carl Backlin, Burlington, Wis.

Application May 23, 1942, Serial No. 444,211

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a device which serves as a reservoir of liquid from which it controllably flows to a desired place of use, as for example to a receiver in which it is desired that a predetermined level of thelquid be maintained, as for instance a bearing in which case the liquid would be oil.

More particularly the invention relates to such a device of the type comprising a cup from which the liquid flows to the desired place of use; and a container for the liquid assembled, in inverted position, with the cup into which it extends and opens, supplying the cup with liquid when the liquid therein lowers below a predetermined level, the container being separable from the cup and having valve means for controlling the retention of the liquid in the container during the operation of assembling the container with the cup.

My objects are to provide a novel, simple and inexpensive construction of device of the character above stated; to provide a simple and inexpensive form of means for properly setting the container at the elevation at which it is desired it extend in the cup and which requires separation of the container and cup for its manipulation, thereby preventing accidental or wilful disturbance of the adjustment; to provide against the accidental spilling of the liquid from the container in the assembling of the container with the cup; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved device showing it connected with a, receiver illustrated in section and partly broken away, to be supplied with liquid from the device.

Figure 2 is a plan sectional View of the device, the section being taken at the line 2 on Fig. l and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3, a view in elevation of a modication ofthe valve device forming an element of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the particular illustrated construction of Figs. 1 and 2, it comprises a cup 3 shown' as having a lateral outlet 4 and a bottom outlet 5 either of which may be connected with the structure to which liquid from the device is to loe supplied. In the particular arrangement shown the device is illustrated as provided for supplying liquid through a pipe 6 to a receiver shown at 'l and in which a predetermined level of liquid is to be maintained, as for example a bearing to be supplied with oil, the connection being shown as at the lateral outlet l.

The device also comprises a container 8 to receive the liquid to be supplied. rI'he container 8 preferably made of glass is of general bowl shape' having a neck 9 at its open end at which the container extends into the cup 3 when assembled with the latter.

The container 8 is provided with a shell I0 having a top walll l I through which the neck 9 oi the container extends and a generally cylindrical side wall I2 forming a skirt telescoped with the cup 3, a bushing I3, as for example of cork, being interposed between the container 8 and the shell Ill.

The cup 3 is open to the atmosphere at its upper end as by means of grooves I4 in the inner surface of the side wall I2 of the shell I0.

In the assembled positions of the parts described the container B is positioned in the cup 3 at the desired elevation by stop means shown as in the form of a screw I5 threaded in a lug lli extending inwardly froma band I'l, as of metal, surrounding, and secured to, the lower end ofthe neck 9, the screw I5 seating on the base of the cup 3. A set-screw I8 on the shell lll and screwing against the cup 3 is provided for holding the container 8 against accidental upward displacement on the cup.

As will be understood, the level of liquid in the cup 3 will depend on the elevation at which the outlet of the neck 9 extends. As liquid is drawn off from the cup 3 and the neck 9 becomes uncovered air enters the neck permitting liquid to flow from the container 8 into the cup 3 until the lower end of the neck again becomes covered by the liquid thereby maintaining a substantially constant level of liquid in the cup, this level being adjustable by adjusting thescrew I5.

To prevent spilling of the liquid from the container 8 in inverting it from filled position to a position for assembling it with the cup 3, the container is provided internally with a valve device the valve proper of which, represented at I9, is preferably made of yielding material as for example cork, the valve proper I9 being adapted to engage a seat 2i) provided by an annular rib 2| on the inner surface of the container 8 at the juncture of the neck 9 with the bowl portion of the container. The valve proper I9 is provided on the inner end of a stem 22 which has means limiting inward movement of the valve device and shown as formed of a pair of tongues 23 on the stem. The stem 22 is of such length that when the tongues 23 rest against the rib 2l in the lling stem 22 will be suiciently exposed to permit the operator to grasp it and draw the valve-proper I5 against the seat 2G, a ring 24 at this end of the stem being provided to facilitate its manipulation.

After filling the container 8 the operator draws the valve device to closed positon and then inverts the container for assembly with the cup 3, the weight of the valve device holding it closed during the introduction of the container into the cup. In the final seating of the container 8 in the cup 3 the stem 22, striking the bottom of the cup, is forced upwardly and raises the valve device to open position to initiate iioW of the liquid from the container into the cup.

The valve proper I9 is shown as in the form of a Washer confined between a lower conical disk 25 and an upper flat disk 26 on the upper reduced end 21 of the stem 22, the washer and disk assembly seating on shoulders 28 on the stem 22 and being held in place by a Cotter pin 29 on the stem.

The Washer I9 is of slightly larger diameter than the seat 20 and in assembling the parts the valve proper I3 is forced inwardly beyond the seat 2D, the construction shown permitting washers I9 of different sizes to be used, suitable to the particular diameter of the seat 20.

In the construction of valve device shown in Fig. 3, the stern of the valve represented at 30 is provided at one end with a valve proper 3| corresponding with the valve proper I9 and shown as held on the stem between disks 32 and 33 by a cotter pin 34 as in the case of the valve device of Figs. 1 and 2. The other end of the valve stern 30 is shown as provided with divergent arms 34 having outturned ends 35 affording shoulders 36.

The valve device of Fig. 3 would be provided of such length, as in the case of the valve device of Figs. 1 and 2, that when the container 8 with which it is assembled is in position for filling the valve device will rest at its shoulders 36 on the open end of the container 8 in which position the valve proper 3i) will be spaced from the seat 20 and the valve stem can be grasped by the operator to move the valve proper to closed position, and in applying the container 8, in inverted position, to the cup 3, during which operation the valve device remains closed, the arms 34 will seat on the bottom of the cup 3 before the nal seating of the container 8 on the cup and thus the valve proper I9 will become unseated in the nal positioning of the container on the cup.

While I have illustrated and described certain particular constructions embodying my invention, I do not Wish to be understood as intending to`limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered and the'invention embodied in other forms of structure, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A device of the character described comprising a cup, a, container extending into said cup and open to the latter, a band surrounding the open end of said container and having a lug,land a stop member on said lug extending into, and seated against, said cup, said stop member being adjustable on said lug to4 determine the elevation of said container in said cup1 JOSEPH L.' SCHWABE, JR. 

